A synthesis of the tetracyclic carboskeleton of isaindigotidione

An efficient synthesis of the unique indolizino[7,6-c]quinoline carboskeleton of isaindigotidione has been achieved. This strategy employed l-proline and isatin as the main building blocks in the construction of the framework. Four transformations occurred in a one-pot operation to furnish the tetracyclic nucleus.     

A novel and efficient approach to highly substituted indolizines via 5-endo-trig iodocyclization

A new approach to indolizines has been developed using a 5-endo-trig iodocyclization of allylic esters followed by isomerization and dehydroiodination facilitated by triethylamine at rt. This mild procedure enabled us to synthesize a number of highly substituted indolizines in good yields.     

A synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines through the reaction of activated acetylenes and isoquinoline in the presence of ethyl bromopyruvate

Isoquinoline reacts with ethyl bromopyruvate in the presence of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates or diaryloylacetylenes to produce dialkyl 1-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoacetyl)pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates or ethyl 2-[2,3-diaryloylpyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-1-yl]-2-oxoacetates in good yields.     

Asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine organocatalyst: Enantioselective construction of indolizine and azepine frameworks

The asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts type Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with pyrrole, catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine (SP)-type organocatalyst, has been accomplished, which allows the construction of a series of azepine and indolizine frameworks with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Moreover, the substrate scope could be extended to generate a quaternary center in indolizine frameworks (up to 96% ee).     

Formation and crystal structure of 1-methyl-2-phenylindolizine-3-acetonitrile

1-Methyl-2-phenylindolizine-3-acetonitrile was unexpectedly obtained in the reaction of 1-methyl-2-phenylindolizine-3-thioaldehyde with cyanide ions. Its structure was determined by IR, ¹H NMR, MS, elemental analyses, and X-ray crystallography. Colorless regular prism shaped crystals of C₁₇H₁₄N₂ crystallize in the space group C2/c with cell dimensions a = 12.956(3) Å, b =10.516(2) Å, c = 20.429(4) Å, and = 90°, = 104.98(3)°, = 90°, V =2688.7(9) ų, D _calc =1.217 Mg/m³, and Z = 8.     

Expeditious synthesis of indolizine derivatives via iodine mediated 5-endo-dig cyclization

Iodine-mediated 5-endo-dig cyclization of propargylic esters 2 at room temperature proceeded smoothly to give highly functionalized indolizines 3 in excellent yields. A pyridine group was employed as a nucleophilic partner in this facile process for the first time.     

New route synthesis of indolizines via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pyridiniums and alkynes

A convenient synthesis of 2,3-di and 1,2,3-trisubstituted indolizines has been achieved via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pyridiniums and alkynes. Various alkynes and diynes were used instead of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and its analogues in the traditional method. The corresponding 1,2,3-trisubstituted indolizines are useful building blocks for the construction of complex indolizine derivatives.     

SEAr-SNAr couplings of indolizines and related pyrrole derivatives with superelectrophilic nitrobenzoxadiazoles

The nucleophilic aromatic substitutions of 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan (DNBZ-Cl) and 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF-Cl) with a series of differently substituted indolizines (5a-f) and a series of dihyropyrroloisoquinolines (11a-f) have been investigated. In accord with previous reports emphasizing the superelectrophilic character of these compounds in σ-complexation processes, DNBZ-Cl and DNBF-Cl react very readily and quantitatively with the weak carbon nucleophiles 5a-f and 11a-f at room temperature in acetonitrile. In the case of DNBZ-Cl, the resulting products (7Z,a-f and 12Z,a-f) are those expected from the displacement of the chlorine atom through a S_EAr-S_NAr mechanism. A significant result is that these compounds, despite the lack of coplanarity of the two rings, are characterized by an intense intramolecular charge transfer between the donor pyrrole-type moiety and the electron-deficient acceptor DNBZ moiety. Contrasting with this behaviour, the DNBF-Cl reactions show a totally different pattern, proceeding with loss of the N-oxide functionality and expansion of the pyrrole moiety to afford stable zwitterionic spiro adducts (8F,a-f and 13F,a-f) of a so far unknown type. Rapid NMR recordings have revealed that the formation of these adducts occurs after initial formation of the expected substitution products 7F,a-f and 12F,a-f. A mechanism accounting for the overall rearrangement leading to the spirobenzofurazan adducts is suggested. It is based on an initial nucleophilic attack of the oxygen atom of the N-oxide functionality at the electron-deficient and strongly olefinic C-C coupling bond generated by the aforementioned intramolecular charge transfer. This results in the formation of an unstable five-membered isoxazole ring whose decomposition goes along with loss of the N-oxide functionality and enlargement of the pyrrole moiety into a pyridine one. Also discussed are the factors accounting for the high thermodynamic stability of the spiro adducts, and their relevance to the stability of previously reported spiro adducts.     

1-(Imidazol-1-yl)-indolizines—two-step synthesis and optical properties

A one-pot process leading to complex aromatic heterocyclic compounds has been designed. Kröhnke methodology has been used to synthesize indolizines bearing an aldimino-substituent at position 1. Further reaction of these compounds with 1,2-diketones and ammonium acetate led to tetra-substituted imidazoles in 5–28% overall yield. The resulting compounds display strong absorption of UV radiation and emission of a blue light accompanied with large Stokes shifts. Replacing the aryl substituents with thiophene at position 3 of the indolizine and position 2 of the imidazole produce a further red shift of the absorption (vs products with substituted benzene rings) as a result of a more planar conformation in the ground state.     

Silver-mediated synthesis of indolizines via oxidative C–H functionalization and 5-endo-dig cyclization

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of indolizines from readily available starting materials via oxidative C–H functionalization and 5-endo-dig cyclization in one step has been demonstrated. This protocol represents wide substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and selectivity. The structure of the product was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. Ag₂CO₃ required of this tandem reaction can be recycled and reused after undergoing oxidative reaction.